But while he is determined to do everything he can to prevent himself spending more time on the sidelines, he knows it is a possibility after missing much of the past two years with thigh, groin, calf and hamstring injuries.

He told British national newspapers: "My head can promise I will not break down again but my body can't. I want to be back for as long as I can. I can blame myself for a bad performance but I can't blame myself for being injured. I will do everything I can to stay fit. I live my life like the best of professionals and hopefully by doing the right thing it will resolve."

Kompany believes he has tried to return too soon after previous injuries and said manager Manuel Pellegrini and the club’s medical staff delayed his comeback this time in a bid to ensure he does not suffer a setback.

He added: “They forced me to wait a bit longer. But it is a tricky thing to talk about because you do everything right. I feel great right now and in every game I've played but there is only so much you can promise. You can promise you will do everything right on the pitch but you can't promise your body will always be there. But I have a good feeling.

"I should kick myself sometimes for always wanting to come back too early but that's how I am. It's very difficult to change my nature as that's what's made me as a player as well. I will always keep giving everything I have, be that in training or games. But the medical [team] or trainer gives the wiser decision."